Outreach & Teacher Resources

The Albuquerque BioPark Education Department offers a variety of outreach programs and resources for students and educators.

 

For teachers looking for an exciting classroom presentation or an educational "extra" during a field trip to one of the BioPark facilities, our outreach programs offer in-depth lessons about many aspects of nature and ecology.

 

We also offer educational activity packets that you are free to download and use during your visit to the BioPark.

 

Call 764-6214 at least six weeks in advance to request a program. Scheduling is dependent on volunteers' schedule. Programs are free of charge.

The BioVan and Rio Rangers - Albuquerque Area

This mobile exhibit teaches about the journey of the Rio Grande from its headwaters in Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico. This award-winning outreach program is funded by PNM and available free-of-charge to Albuquerque area elementary schools and community events.

The BioVan has five exhibit windows that depict habitats along the Rio Grande. These window-habitats contain live animals, such as birds, reptiles, mammals and plants. A performance artist, interactive games and a teachers’ guide are also part of the program.

Following a BioVan visit, students in 1st through 3rd grades may participate in the Rio Ranger program. Funded by Texaco, this program is a full day, hands-on field trip to the Rio Grande Bosque. Students conduct field projects and laboratory investigations as well as related role-playing games and art activities. Call the BioVan staff at (505)764-6242 at least six weeks in advance to schedule.

 

Zoo to You Van - Statewide

The Zoo to You Van, sponsored by Phelps-Dodge Mining Company, is a traveling, statewide conservation education program available to any school, community center, library or museum within New Mexico. Presentations include slides, biofacts and animal ambassadors like birds, reptiles and mammals. Call (505) 764-6214 at least six weeks in advance to schedule.

Classroom Programs - Albuquerque area

Bring your class to a BioPark classroom or request a BioPark Educator to come to your classroom! Programs are tailored for kindergarten - high school ages and feature slides, biofacts and live animals. Teacher preparatory materials are included.

Suitcase for Survival - Check-out kit for classrooms

The illegal wildlife trade has a tremendous negative impact on the survival of many species. Baby parrots are taken from their nests for the pet trade; elephants and rhinos are killed for decorative ivory; big cats, crocodiles and snakes are destroyed for their skins and delicate orchids and cactus are yanked from their native habitats. The 'Suitcase for Survival' contains animal items confiscated from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for hands-on learning about the Wildlife Trade. Other materials in suitcase include a full classroom curriculum, a slide show and video, and reference books. Call 764-6214 to check our for classroom use.

Informative Displays - Statewide

Information booths and interactive displays available for county fairs, school science fairs, state and county fairs, arts and craft fairs, and other community events.

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Albuquerque Aquarium Programs  

Call 848-7180 at least six weeks in advance to request a program. Scheduling is dependent on volunteers' schedule. Programs are free of charge and may be combined with a guide tour of the aquarium.

Sea Turtles - Grades 1-8

Find out what makes sea turtles different from turtles on land. Watch a sea turtle lay eggs, and follow the babies out to sea. Learn all about these rare ocean animals and find out what you can do to protect them. Available at the BioPark or in your Albuquerque-area classroom.

Coral Reefs - Grades 1-8

Discover the world of coral reefs and find out why these intricate ecosystems are called the "rainforests of the sea". Students will learn about the animals that make their home in a reef, find out why coral reefs are so important and what connects Albuquerque to coral. This presentation includes a special focus on reef conservation and lots of hands-on time with coral reef objects. Available at the BioPark or in your Albuquerque-area classroom.

What Makes a Fish a Fish? All ages

Not everything that lives in the water is a fish. Learn the characteristics of fish and what makes them different from other marine life. Find out why a jelly is not a fish, but a sea horse is! Available at the BioPark or in your Albuquerque-area classroom.

Desert Sharks - Grades K-8

What kinds of sharks live in the desert? The sand tigers, sandbar, blacktip,and nurse sharks at the Albuquerque Aquarium! Students will examine shark teeth and skin, observe shark behavior, learn how researchers study sharks and discover how the Rio Grande connects to sharks in the ocean. Available on-site only.

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Rio Grande Botanic Garden Programs

Call 848-7180 at least six weeks in advance to request a program. Scheduling is dependent on volunteers' schedule. Programs are free of charge and may be combined with a guide tour of the garden.

Incredible Insects - Grade 3

Incredible Insects is the Rio Grande Botanic Garden's newest classroom outreach program. It is scheduled to begin December 1 on weekdays (programs will be scheduled based on staff availability). The 40-minute presentation is designed for a 3rd grade level and features live arthropods and hands-on biofacts. Audience size is limited to 30 students. Available at the BioPark or in your Albuquerque-area classroom.

Flower Power - Grades 6-12

Why are flowers so pretty? Why do they smell good? Find out the answers to these an other questions during this hands-on class. Students will dissect a flower, play a flower anatomy game and create their own floral souvenir. Flowers have never been this much fun! Available at the BioPark or in your Albuquerque-area classroom.

Seeds - Grades 1-8

How does a plant make seeds and how does that tiny seed contain all the information to make a huge plant? How do seeds travel? What are the parts of a seed? Learn how valuable seeds are to plant production, to animal consumption and to human economics. Available at the BioPark or in your Albuquerque-area classroom.

Butterflies - Grades 1-8

Discover the intricate and delicate world of butterflies. We'll explore how they do that amazing transformation from caterpillars to flying colors. What do they eat and how? Learn which plants will attract butterflies to your garden so you can watch them up-close at home! Available at the BioPark or in your Albuquerque-area classroom.

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Educational Activity Packets

Download free educational materials to distribute to your students for their use while you are at the Aquarium and Garden. Anyone visiting the BioPark is welcome to use these packets. Zoo Activity packets are coming soon.

 

Albuquerque Aquarium and Rio Grande Botanic Garden Educational Activity Packets

Preschool - 1st Grade (166K)

Grades 2 - 5 (328K)  

Grades 6-12 (181K )  

If you are using worksheets in the Aquarium, please remind students not to use the tank windows as a writing surface. We recommend bringing clipboards or notebooks. You could even create "recycled" clipboards using paper-sized pieces of cardboard with rubberbands to hold down your worksheets!

 

PNM Butterfly Pavilion at the Rio Grande Botanic Garden

Color identification guide for the butterflies of the PNM Butterfly Pavilion.

Image file is 5.0 megabytes and make take a few minutes to open. The guide is designed for legal paper (8.5" x 14"). To print on standard letter paper (8.5" x 11"), choose Fit to Printer Margins in the print menu.

 

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